Unique Japanese Items for All Occasions

From pro beauty artists to the casual makeup wearer, many people put special thought and care into the quality and appearance of their makeup. However, a surprising number of people overlook the most important part of their makeup kit—brushes.  High-quality makeup brushes make a significant difference not only for smooth and even control when applying makeup, but also for preserving makeup and preventing acne and other skin problems. For example, applying liquid foundation with a sponge can lead to blackheads from pore-clogging bacteria, while applying it with one’s fingers can create an unpleasantly shiny finish from the oil glands in fingertips.

With a long history and expertise in crafting traditional handmade calligraphy tools, Kumano brushes are the perfect brush for solving any makeup trouble, and ensuring the best application possible.

Kumano Brushes Represent
A Dedication to Quality through the Ages

Japan is home to its own high-quality artisanal brushes known as Kumanofude (Kumano brushes), traditional handmade calligraphy brushes from the Kumano region in Hiroshima prefecture. Historically, these penmanship tools were sold by local farmers who had traveled away looking for work after the rice harvest ended, and brought back with them calligraphy brushes and ink from larger towns to sell at home in Kumano. During the Edo period, the brushes became so popular that they began to be produced locally, and the Kumano region’s brush making industry was born.

Today, Kumano is home to a number of artisan manufacturers who craft around 80% of all domestically made brushes. The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has officially recognized Kumanofude brush making as a traditional craft of Japan.

The quality of craftsmanship by Japanese Kumanofude manufacturers is extremely high, and can require up to 10 years of training. Over those years of training, Kumanofude artisans to gain the knowledge required to be able to handle animal hairs for the bristles proficiently, as well as judge quality. Kumano makeup brushes require around 30 steps to create, and most of these steps are still done by hand. Great attention is paid especially to the most essential part of the brush, the tip, and these are always handmade using traditional Kumano artisan techniques. Given the great care and precision used to make Kumanofude, the brushes are known to be more durable than other makeup brushes.

The Bristles

The bristles are the most important feature of a brush that set apart a good makeup brush from a poor one, as well as a handmade brush from a synthetic one. Like Kumano calligraphy brushes, makeup brushes produced in Kumano use natural animal hair such as goat, squirrel, and horse. The natural animal fibers used in Kumanofude brushes tend to hold powder and color pigment better for a more even application and natural look, blending out beautifully. They are also extremely soft to the touch.

Inferior hairs are sorted out by hand using a special combing tool to prevent any rough hairs or stray, crooked bristles. Because the bristles of Kumano brushes are always handmade, the tip of the brush has a very slight natural unevenness to it, which allows the brush to make lighter contact with the face, ensuring a more even makeup application. The end of every bristle gently tapers into its own fine point, unlike synthetic brushes where the end of the bristles are machine-cut, which can irritate the skin due to the prickly exposed cross section of the bristles.

While synthetic fibers have some benefits in application, such as being useful for liquid and cream cosmetics, they are less effective at catching powder and can result in wasted makeup or poor blending.

The Handle

Kumano brush handles are typically made with Japanese wood or brass. The size and the thickness of a handle determines the brush’s use. Long, thin handles provide precise control for detail work such as applying eyeshadow and eyeliner, whereas fat, shorter handles provide excellent coverage and blending for powder and blush brushes.

The Ferrule

The ferrule is the part of the brush that keeps the bristles at the tip attached to the handle. Usually made of metals such as brass, copper, or aluminum, the ferrule is stamped into a shape that controls how the bristles splay or fan out from the brush. High quality brushes are made with a seamless metal tube, as a seamed ferrule may come apart over time causing the bristles to fall off of the brush handle. Glue is applied at the bottom of the ferrule, so when washing brushes be sure not to wet the ferrule, and brushes should never be left in water.

The Preferred Brushes of the
World’s Leading Makeup Artists and Brands

Kumano brushes are popular with a wide range of people and esteemed makeup brands in and outside of Japan. After receiving the National Honor Award back in 2011 from the Japanese government for winning the FIFA World Cup, the Nadeshiko Japan women’s soccer team were presented with a limited soccer-ball shaped makeup brush. In Hollywood, Japanese makeup artists like Tamami Mihara use Kumano brushes to create looks highly prized by celebrities and actors including Jennifer Lopez and Oscar winner Al Pacino. Kumanofude are used by internationally renowned makeup companies like Chanel and M.A.C, who seek only the highest-quality brushes to support their premium brand status.

Anyone looking purchase their first set of makeup brushes or to upgrade their existing makeup kit should consider high-quality Kumanofude artisan makeup brushes. The ability to improve makeup application and skin health, as well as maximize the longevity of makeup, makes Kumano brushes an excellent choice for anyone seeking high-quality artisan makeup brushes.